Health science and education

School of Health Sciences and Education

From diverse global communities to underserved rural populations, be prepared to share your gifts with compassion and confidence.

Turn Your Calling Into a Career

Saint Francis of Assisi had a legendary gift for caring, and our School of Health Sciences and Education will help you follow in his footsteps.
Here we offer programs in healthcare, education, social work, and psychology that carefully blend specialized professional curricula with a liberal arts education rooted in Catholic Franciscan values developed to foster your unique gifts.  Whether you aspire to heal minds, bodies, and souls or you choose to cultivate the minds of tomorrow; our majors can help you be ready for an innovative, high-touch profession where learning never stops.  
A diligent student with a cross sticker on their laptop

focus on leadership development and service-learning

Enthusiastic Faculty member gesturing with hands

direct connections with expert faculty

Students hands-on learning with a stethoscope

quality clinical, internship, and student teaching opportunities

Why Saint Francis?

Approach Your Future with Confidence

Our curriculum is designed to prepare you for success on any corresponding certifications or exams associated with your program, graduate programs, and your career. Our students benefit from:
  • Hands-on learning
  • Small class sizes
  • Practical, authentic educational environments
  • Opportunities for research, community engagement, inter-professional experiences, simulation and study abroad
Faculty instructing students
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Choose Your Program

Whether you take classes online or on-campus, Saint Francis has the health sciences and education programs to match your aspirations.

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SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND EDUCATION FACULTY

A personalized approach to learning and leading

 

The School of Health Sciences and Education utilizes exceptional learning opportunities to help you become the competent, compassionate and ethical professional you are destined to be. Experience our unique camaraderie through hands-on learning in small classes lead by expert faculty. Saint Francis University professors will know you by name and provide individualized focus, attention and support to help you achieve your highest potential in your program of focus.

 


Dean, School of Health Sciences and Education, Professor of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Donald Walkovich

Dr. Donald Walkovich MS, OTR/l,FAOTA

An expert in administration and management, leadership, ethics, and occupational therapy, Dr. Walkovich is dedicated to supporting students in the School of Health Sciences and Education through high-quality experiences and individualized attention. He is interested in the possibilities of telemedicine as well as alternative and complementary medicine in today’s ever-evolving world. Dr. Walkovich earned his Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) focused in Health Sciences from Nova Southeastern University.

 

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities for growth. Support for your passion.

 
 
Our School of Health Sciences and Education is designed to provide you with the skills, practical experience, expert support, and innovative facilities you need to follow your calling. 
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Facilities and Resources 

An Ancient stone wall hosting a hooded and pious Saint Francis gazing towards heaven. Sparsely garnished conifers glow green in the sunlight.

Several academic programs within the School of Health Sciences and Education at Saint Francis University are accredited by their respective specialized accrediting agencies.
Learn more 

Latest News

Four stand-out educators receive Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award

University Communications & Marketing | 05/10/2023
Saint Francis University presents the Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award to a deserving elementary or secondary teacher or administrator each spring. This year, the university presented the award to four outstanding educators during the Saint Francis University President's Awards Convocation on May 4, 2023.

Addressing the Teacher Shortage: SFU and TEACH

Dr. Melissa Peppetti | 05/09/2023
While the teaching crisis impacts all locales, rural schools are having issues finding teachers for specific classes and grade spans, especially the disciplines of math and science. Saint Francis University's Graduate Education Department is committed to improving teacher quality by offering research-based solutions that may serve as viable solutions to the teacher shortage.

Advanced Concepts in PT Practice

Dr. Shannon Scanlan, PT, DPT | 04/12/2023
Physical therapy majors at Saint Francis University must master the foundational patient-management classes included in the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree curriculum. Yet they can also explore areas of specialty practice. Special Topic Courses are a practical way for students, as part of their physical therapy education, to discover areas of PT practice that they may be passionate about.

Saint Francis OT program accepted as AOTA Gold Level member

University Marketing & Communications | 02/01/2023
The Occupational Therapy program at Saint Francis University has recently been accepted by the American Occupational Therapy Association as a Gold Level member of the AOTA’s Student Membership Circle.

Exercise Oncology is Medicine

University Communications & Marketing | 12/06/2022
Alexis Bradfield is an exercise physiologist working at a hospital in Aspen, CO. While her primary focus is cardiac rehabilitation, the hospital has also begun an exercise oncology rehabilitation service. Lexi is one of the exercise physiologists who treat individuals living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Saint Francis University unveils new high-tech anatomy lab

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 11/18/2022
The university unveiled its new anatomy lab which combines the university's traditional cadaver lab with a high-tech simulation space within the Experiential Learning Commons.

2022 Puppy Graduation

Mitch Jubas, University Communications & Marketing | 11/17/2022
It was graduation night this past Tuesday for three of our four-legged students! Belle, Vickey and Midnight graduated from Saint Francis University this past Tuesday.

Neuro Wellness Clinics

Mitchell Jubas, University Communications and Marketing | 11/04/2022
The OT and PT departments collaborated this year to host the annual Neuro Wellness Clinics. In these clinics students work with clients who have suffered various neurological events such as traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, and stroke.